How to Prepare for Plant Swaps

Why Participate in Native Plant Swaps

Plant swaps are an ideal way to share native plants, increasing their impact across your area. Many gardeners are familiar with the problem of having one plant take over an area of the garden. Plant swaps help you dig, divide and offload your extra native plants in favor of other native plants, increasing diversity in your yard or habitat. Plant swaps are also a great source of plants you otherwise couldn’t find at local plant nurseries. And native plant swaps help build community among native plant enthusiasts.

How to Identify Native Plants

It is essential that you do not spread non-native species, as the goal of native plant swaps is to increase native biodiversity. Most native gardeners know what they are growing, but in case you don’t here are some resources to help you identify what is in your garden or habitat

1. To find more information on native range of your plants, visit BoNAP, USDA Plants Database, or Flora of the Southeastern US.
2. You can use apps on your phone such as Seek by iNaturalist, iNaturalist, LeafSnap, Google Lens, Apple photos and the countless other plant identification apps.
   NOTE: Plant apps will often give incorrect identifications. They are a good place to start but it is recommended to either look at botanical keying guides or post images on your local native plant identification communities on social media.
3. Join your local native plant group on social media and ask if anyone can help identify specific plants you have.

How to Prepare Your Plants for a Plant Swap:

1. Begin digging and dividing your native plants as soon as possible to give them time to recover and acclimate. This is often done in the cooler seasons, typically at the beginning of spring when basal leaves begin emerging or in autumn when flowers are done blooming and plants begin to senesce. For more information on digging and dividing, refer to this video. Be careful when digging not to mix in any non-natives that might be in your garden! NOTE: it is best to dig early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are milder.
2. Use potting soil (peat-free is best!) or a mix of soil conditioner and your native soil to pot each plant into individual containers.
3. Place your plants in a shady location while they acclimate to their new home in pots. This is especially important in warmer months when plants can quickly dehydrate in the sun.
4. Keep your pots watered though not waterlogged.
5. Label each plant with the botanical (latin) and common name and its ideal growing conditions. It is important to label your plants because once you get to the plant swap, things will quickly get mixed up. This will also help your fellow swappers to make the correct selections for their yard or habitats. Cutting up old yogurt containers or old vinyl blinds for plant labels is a great way to recycle (and get free plant labels). Regular permanent markets are okay for short-term use but for longer-lasting plant labels, try using Sharpie Industrial markers.
6. Now you’re ready to take your plants to the plant swap!